‘More insulting’ than Trump’s ‘enemy of the people’ dig [WATCH]

In a recent episode of “Real Time,” host Bill Maher made some provocative remarks about Vice President Kamala Harris’ reluctance to engage with the press, suggesting her approach could be seen as “more insulting” than former President Donald Trump’s often hostile relationship with the media.

Maher’s comments have sparked a debate about the role of political figures and their interactions with the press, especially in an era where transparency and accountability are highly scrutinized.

During his discussion with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, Maher pointedly asked, “What do you think about the fact that Kamala doesn’t talk to the press?”

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He followed up by expressing his view that Harris’ lack of communication with journalists might be more dismissive than Trump’s verbal attacks on the media. “In a way, I feel like it’s more insulting than what Trump does,” Maher stated.

“Trump says you’re ‘the enemy of the people,’ which is pretty bad. What she’s kind of saying is, ‘I don’t need you. I’m not talking to you. You don’t matter. You’re not relevant anymore to me.’ To me, that’s even worse than ‘I hate you.’ It’s like ‘I don’t think about you.’”

Collins, who has firsthand experience covering Trump, was quick to counter Maher’s point.

“I don’t know if it’s worse than denigrating the press on a daily basis, which is what Donald Trump did,” she responded. Collins elaborated on her experiences as a White House correspondent under the Trump administration, highlighting the former president’s combative nature.

“I covered him in the White House every day as a correspondent. And, you know, oftentimes to kind of, you know, shake you if you’re asking him a question, he would try to get into a personal argument with you, or just deny or lie about what you were asking about. And so I don’t know if I would compare the two.”

Despite their differences in opinion, both Maher and Collins agreed on one point: Harris should be more open to engaging with the press.

“I do think she should talk to the press. I think anyone who wants to have access to the nuclear codes should be willing to sit down and take questions,” Collins said, emphasizing the importance of transparency from public officials.

Maher concurred, adding, “I’d love to too, but I’m not going to hold my breath,” referring to his desire to have Harris appear on his show.

As of now, it has been over a month since Harris was confirmed as the Democratic nominee, and she has yet to conduct any interviews or hold news conferences.

This absence from the media spotlight has raised questions about her strategy and intentions, particularly given the increased scrutiny that comes with being in the public eye at such a high level.

Image Credit: Real Time with Bill Maher/HBO

In contrast, Trump, known for his unpredictable and often contentious relationship with the media, regularly made himself available to reporters, granting numerous interviews and holding frequent news conferences.

This willingness to engage, even if combatively, stands in stark contrast to Harris’ current media strategy.

Earlier this month, Harris indicated that she might schedule an interview before the end of August.

However, when asked by Fox News’ Peter Doocy on Thursday whether she was ready to grant an interview with Fox News, Harris jokingly replied, “I’m working toward it.”

The debate over Harris’ media strategy is likely to continue, especially as she faces growing pressure to define her policy positions more clearly.

Many are eager to hear from her directly about the shift away from some progressive positions she held during her first presidential run in 2019, as well as her plans moving forward.

Additionally, there are lingering questions about the current administration’s handling of President Biden’s mental health concerns.

In the world of politics, where perception often shapes reality, Harris’ decision to engage—or not engage—with the press will undoubtedly play a significant role in how she is perceived by both supporters and critics alike.

As Maher and Collins’ conversation illustrates, the media’s role in holding public figures accountable remains as vital as ever. Whether Harris will choose to embrace this aspect of her role is a question that remains unanswered.

WATCH THE VIDEO:

Bill Maher asks CNN’s Kaitlan Collins about Kamala Harris avoiding journalists https://t.co/6BAWo8W9pb pic.twitter.com/5pjnLcOQ7J

— New York Post (@nypost) August 24, 2024

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